FAIRLIE PIPE BAND DOING WELL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21576, 12 February 1940, Page 3

FAIRLIE PIPE BAND DOING WELL

Report To Annual

Meeting

Mr P. A. McAteer Elected

President

"It seems hard that a band which is such an asset to the County should have to rely on cadging from the public.” said Mr P. E. Neilson, president of the Mackenzie Highland Pipe Band at the annual meeting on Saturday night. “I think a bigger donation from the governing body of the County is necessary. I do not like the idea of the band leaning too much on the public. A better system of financing is necessary.” Mr Neilson made these remarks while reviewing the work of the band during the past year.

The band had had several outings ahead during the year but the war had started and these had been cancelled. said Mr Neilson. They had attended the military camp at Cave as well as most of the usual local functions. He referred to the supporters who had made contributions to the band's funds. They had had a number of good public collections and some handsome donations. Financially the year had been a good one and the band was In a splendid position to attend contests in the South Island in the future.

"I would like to appeal to the members of the band to co-operate with the executive in getting the affairs of the band running smoothly,” continued Mr Neilson. "The difficulty of getting some of the younger members to practice is disheartening and I would appeal to all members to give the pipe major and other members who work so hard the encouragement they deserve. Contests gave the members something to attend practice for and in this respect they were a great aid to progress. During the year a class of young pipers had been formed. As a result quite a number of players were coming on who would be able to join the band in the future. The balance-sheet revealed a credit balance for the year of £29/10/8. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Mr G. Cowan reported that one of the members of the learners’ class was almost ready to turn out with the band but he required a set of pipes.

In vacating the chair Mr Neilson appealed to members to take an active interest in the affairs of the band. There were not enough ordinary citizens who gave a hand in the organisation.

Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Patrons. Messrs T. D. Burnett. M.P.; W. Snushall. G. Murray. S. Mackenzie. R. A. Grant, A. Grant, K. Anderson, D. C. Kidd. M.P.,

and Mrs H. C. Mana ton; president. Mr P. A McAteer; vice-presidents, Messrs S. Ryder, W. McNarry, G. Ross. W. J. Dore. W. Mclntosh. Jas Innes, H. Campbell. M. Snushall. F. Creighton, and P. E. Neilson; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. A. Fraser; drum-major Mr B. Slow: pipe-major, Mr G. Cowan; sergeant, Mr H. Cogar; corporal, Mr C. Cowan; side drum corporal. Mr C. Surridge; custodian, Mr S. Ryder; management committee. Messrs McAteer. Fraser, Slow, Cowan, Ryder, and Neilson.

Reference was made to the work done with uniforms by Mrs G. Cowan and she was granted £2/2/- from the funds.

The secretary reported that a request had been received for the band to play at Burke's Pass on Easter Saturday. They would be required at the Show in Fairlie on Easter Monday, and in addition an invitation had been received from Timai-u for them to attend a massed display there on Easter Sunday. It was decided to refer the question of whether they should attend at Timaru to the bandsmen. Preference is to be given the district functions. SCHOOL PICNIC The school picnic will take place next Thursday as originally proposed. Although businessmen in Fairlie considered altering the picnic day to a Saturday a suitable date was not available and it has been decided to close Ihe shops on Thursday, as crieinallv pronosed. Although businessmen in Fairlie considered altering the picnic day to a Saturday a suitable date was not available and it has been decided to close the shops on Thursday. It is understood that recommendations have been made that the picnic be lick! on a Saturday in future. SHARP FROST Six degrees of frost were recorded in Fairlie yesterday morning. This followed a cold rain on Saturday which brought a further light covering of snow on the hills. RED CROSS STALL All the goods on the Red Cross stall on Friday night were sold and the committee was gratified with the financial result. Competitions were won by 7 Messrs P, Morton. E. B. Taylor, J. J. Sullivan, 11. Clarkson and R. Irving. RAILWAY PICNIC Almost 1000 people visited Fairlie yesterday with the Railways' picnic from Timaru. Bowling, swimming and a sports programme at the Athletic Grounds filled in the time for the visitors.